The ‘Downton Abbey’ movie is actually happening – it’s official!

Following endless rumours and false starts, the news that Downton Abbey fans have been waiting for has finally arrived.

Speaking to press on the red carpet for Downton Abbey: The Exhibition in Singapore yesterday, the president of NBCUniversal International Studios confirmed that the period drama’s long-awaited movie spin-off is officially happening.

The Downton Abbey movie will begin filming in early 2018 and is expected to arrive in cinemas later next year.

Michael Edelstein told The AP: “There’s a movie in the works. It’s been in the works for some time.

“We are working on getting the script right and then we’ve got to figure out how to get the (cast) together. Because as you know, people go on and do other things. But we’re hopeful to make a movie sometime next year.”

The movie’s production has been rumoured since 2015.

Downton Abbey concluded on Masterpiece on PBS in 2016 after six seasons and writer Julian Fellowes has claimed that “most of the cast are up for [the movie].”

Actress Lily James, who played Lady Rose Aldridge, has been chatting about her potential involvement in the Downton Abbey film.

Downton Abbey: The Exhibition opened in in Singapore last week and features costumes, locations and never-before-seen footage from the TV show.

The exhibition will then travel to the US and Australia, although exact dates are still to be revealed.